Supporting Civil Rights for Atheists and the Separation of Church and State

Jun

2011

July 4 Aerial Banner Schedule - Pictures win shirts!

Author: admin / admin's blog

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American Atheists will fly either "God-LESS America" or "Atheism is Patriotic" over 26 states on July 4th, celebrating our growth as a movement and our freedom to live without dogma and religion. Patriotism article HERE.

(SEE FLIGHT SCHEDULES IN TABLE BELOW!)

WE NEED PICTURES! If you will be in the area of one of our ads, please take some good high-quality pictures for our website and magazine. If we use your picture, we will give you a free Convention T-shirt! Email your pictures to Blair at [email protected].

ALSO - Please find your local news TIP line and call in when you see the banner. If you are a member of a local group or run a local group, take advantage of this opportunity to get some local press as well! Let this rising tide raise your ship, too!

Photo taken by "Andy" at Hales Corners, WI (just south of Milwaukee)

Why are we doing this? How many times have you heard theists refer to atheists as un-American, anti-American, or un-patriotic? How many times have you heard theists insist "there are no atheists in foxholes?" These canards are an insult to all atheist Americans who love and support the United States. The very fact that we stand up to defend the constitutional separation of church and state, fight for the civil rights of all non-theists, and work to ensure true freedom of religion is one of the most patriotic things anyone can do! By defending against theocracy, we are acting patriotic and defending the founding document of this country. What better day to emphasize this than on the birthday of our great country?

This campaign is not about pushing the "atheist agenda" or shoving our views down people's throats. This is about advertising and raising the tide for all atheists across the United States. This is about getting Americans to recognize the role atheists play in this country and our dedication to its constitution. This is about generating public discussion about atheism, religion and the role of religion in politics and our national identity. This is an opportunity for public discourse about the very issues that are important not only to us, but to every American (whether they realize it or not). For more details about why atheism is patriotic, please visit our Patriotism article HERE.

Why only 26 states (so far)? American Atheists went to great lengths to get flights in all 50 states, representing the fact that atheism is the fastest growing segment in every state . The reality is that there is still a lot of bigotry out there and many companies refused to fly our banners. This just emphasizes the importance of doing this campaign! In fact, on 6/30 our count went from 27 to 26 because a company in North Carolina refused to fly the sign because, "I'm not going to Hell flying that sign!"

SCHEDULE:

STATE	CITIES	TIME	LOCATION
Alabama	Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, Dauphin Island	1200-1300	State Line to Bayou la Batre
California	Los Angeles, Santa Monica	1900-2000	Santa Monica to Manhatten Beach
Colorado	Denver	0900-1000	Greely Stampede
Connecticut	Mystic, New London/Groton	0900-1000	Mystic, Stonington, Sandy Point, New London
Florida	Miami Beach, South Beach	1100-1200	South Beach to Lauderdale
Illinois	Racine, Zion, Libertyville	1030-1200	Racine South to Zion - Waukegan - Libertyville - Highland Park to Grays Lake
Indiana	Lake Potaka/Paoli	0900-1000	Patoka Lake / Paoli Area
Louisiana	Mandaville, Covington, Abita Springs	1030-1230	Mandaville Seafood Fest/Mandaville Downtown
Massachusetts	South Cape Cod	1500-1600	Osterman to Chatham Beaches
Michigan	Detroit	1900-2000	Downtown/ Hart Plaza
Minnesota	Parade Forrest Lake, Roseville	1300-1400	Parade Forrest Lake/White Bear Lake/Roseville Fest
Mississippi	Biloxi, Gulfport	1100-1200	Biloxi Beaches/Coast
Missouri	Lake of the Ozarks	1000-1100	Osage Beach
Nebraska	Lake Whitney	0800-0900	Chadron/Lake Whitney
New Jersey	Long Branch, Sandy Hook Beaches	0900-1000	Long Branch To Sandy Hook Beaches
New York	Harbor, Liberty Island	1000-1100	Harbor Liberty Island
North Dakota	Grand Forks	1500-1600	Grand Forks/Downtown
Ohio	Toledo	1900-2000	Downtown/ Zoo Amphitheater
Oregon	Portland, Vancouver	1600-1700	Downtown Vancuver & Portland/Stadium
Rhode Island	Coast	1000-1100	Westerly, Watch Hill, Misquamicut, Weekapaug, Charlestown, Green Hill, Matunuck, Point Judith, Scarborough, Narragansett
South Dakota	Rapid City	0900-1000	Downtown/Parade
Texas	Ft. Worth, Arlington	1600-1700	Rangers Pregame
Washington	Seattle	1700-1800	Gas Works Park Myrtle Edwards Beach
Wisconsin	Racine, Milwaukee	0900-1000	Racine - Oak Creek - Bayview - Greenfield and back to Racine via Franklin
Wyoming	Jackson	1000-1100	Downtown Jackson

Comments

Anonymous (not verified) / Mon, 07/04/2011 - 05:29

What happened to the South Carolina banner that was planned for the Myrtle Beach area?

Anonymous (not verified) / Mon, 07/04/2011 - 09:19

The company pulled out after the owner said, "I'm not going to Hell flying that sign!"

Anonymous (not verified) / Thu, 06/30/2011 - 13:17

In Detroit it is Hart Plaza not Heart.

Anonymous (not verified) / Thu, 06/30/2011 - 21:27

Thanks!

Anonymous (not verified) / Mon, 07/04/2011 - 07:06

Also, the second city in Illinois is Zion, not Zioin.

Anonymous (not verified) / Thu, 06/30/2011 - 22:21

UPDATE 6/30: North Carolina has been removed after the company said, "I'm not going to Hell flying that sign!"

And that is exactly why campaigns like this are important.

Anonymous (not verified) / Tue, 07/05/2011 - 19:35

mlmilewicz - Caution my respected friend, those comments got me banned and blocked from the AA FB page yesterday. I plain and simply could not agree more. The campaigns are at best childish and poorly constructed, at worst they work against the cause we all share. AA is not know for being the intellectual powerhouse of the movement, and here is more proof. Have they said how much was expended on this campaign and was it authorized by the board. If so this board needs to do some thinking.

I am stunned that these banners were flown with the ambigous and unintelligable messages. At best the messages were ready as antagonistic. Does someone at AA think that is the way to affect change and gain respect. Apparently AA thinks any publicity is good, and does not care about the quality and respect it could gain from these events.

BTW: Before they attacks from the loyalists begin, I am a lifelong anti-theist, so don't dare accuse me of trying to appease the religious, AA defenders can not hide there any longer.

Anonymous (not verified) / Fri, 07/01/2011 - 09:24

Who the hell spends thousands of dollars trying to promote something they "don't" believe in? I don't believe in the tooth fairy but I sure as shit wouldn't waste my money to tell others that. You atheists are just as bat shit crazy as the people you frown upon.

Anonymous (not verified) / Fri, 07/01/2011 - 09:33

In a country dominated by Christian beliefs that push into every aspect of our life and keep us closeted for fear of reprecussions both socially and professionally we do need to promote ourselves. If belief in the tooth fairy was dominating our political structure then hell yeah you would have to speak out and say hey not everyone believes and we are still patriotic, full humans and citizens.

Anonymous (not verified) / Sat, 07/02/2011 - 16:09

I don’t believe in the tooth fairy but I sure as shit wouldn’t waste my money to tell others that.

I'd bet you would if
A. Tooth fairyist priests were taking bundles of money in, while molesting minors,
B. using the Tooth Fairy as an excuse to go to war,
C. using the Tooth Fairy as an excuse to discriminate against others,
D. using the Tooth Fairy as an excuse to tell women what they can do w/their bodies, and...
...whew. The list, it do go on some.

Anonymous (not verified) / Tue, 07/05/2011 - 04:36

Cathie, do you understand the difference between "trying to force your beliefs on everyone else" and simply announcing that we exist? Don't you think it's interesting that just saying "we're here!" is so disturbing?

Anonymous (not verified) / Tue, 07/05/2011 - 19:37

Vemla - did those banners say "we are here"? That is not what I read. Or does content not matter?

Anonymous (not verified) / Wed, 07/06/2011 - 10:01

Context is everything. It's obviously an effort to say "we are here" and/or "we exist."

Anonymous (not verified) / Fri, 07/01/2011 - 10:23

Are those times local? I'm in Texas and considering going to the Rangers game. Your list shows the fly-over times to be 1600-1700. The game starts at 1905. That seems awfully early for anyone to see the banner.

Anonymous (not verified) / Fri, 07/01/2011 - 10:26

Yes, those times are local. There are restrictions on games. We hope to get the pre-game crowd.

Anonymous (not verified) / Fri, 07/01/2011 - 10:28

Thanks

Anonymous (not verified) / Tue, 07/05/2011 - 19:17

mlmilewicz, I think your argument is fair IF your goal is to convert religious people to atheism. I, for one, don't really give a shit if we "piss off some people," as long as a few 'in the closet' atheists relate to the message.

Anonymous (not verified) / Mon, 07/04/2011 - 07:39

You people are just as stupid as the Jehovah's Witnesses, Baptists and evangelicals trying to force your beliefs on everyone else.
You are not going to convince anyone of what you believe, not with flying banners or billboards or ranting on soapboxes.
People believe what they believe whether or not there is any logic to it. I don't want Jehovah's Witnesses or evangelicals at my door, and I don't want you either. You're all just annoying. Start minding your own business and leave people alone.

Anonymous (not verified) / Sat, 07/02/2011 - 09:06

American Atheists continues to launch "awareness campaigns" designed by fourteen year old forum trolls. Who chooses these slogans? "God-LESS America" and "Atheism is Patriotic" both employ exclusionary language, just like "You KNOW It's a Myth." All of these suggest disrespect and imply that religious Americans are somehow less, or are secretly disingenuous.

I complained about the "You KNOW It's a Myth" billboards, stating that most people viewing them do not, in fact, agree that it's a myth. The response AA sent me was that the billboard was only targeting people who remained with their church despite agnostic or atheist tendencies. Obviously, however, the majority of the audience viewing these billboards was devout Christians.

Contrast this to "You Can Be Good Without God." This is equally true no matter who is reading the billboard. This can be backed up statistically, and is demonstrated by atheists across America every day. This is a message that remains true regardless of who's reading it.

Consider the difference in message between "Atheism is Patriotic" and, say, "[a graphic] Atheist Patriots Wishing You A Happy 4th." (No, it can't be flown.) The first statement can easily be read to imply "Atheism is Patriotic, Religion is Not" by a biased viewer. Point of fact: biased viewers comprise most of the intended audience. Why put it up in the first place?

This is why I refer to these ads as trolling, because, like trolling on a forum, they can easily be extended to "That's not what I said, but now that you bring it up..."

Meanwhile, something like "[a graphic] Atheist Patriots Wishing You A Happy 4th" is going to piss some people off already. We're at a place in time where just saying "I'm an atheist" can piss people off. People are going to be agitated and they're going to notice, but the message itself isn't something injurious. You can't ultimately protest against someone wishing you a happy Fourth of July. You can, but you just look like a jerk.

"God-LESS America" makes it sound like we want to kick religion out of America entirely. Maybe you do, but I only want to eat my piece of the pie in piece. I'd appreciate not seeing atheist awareness campaigns that look like they were pulled off by 4chan or LulzSec.

Anonymous (not verified) / Sat, 07/02/2011 - 09:12

I wish to add: I am active, I want us to be noticed, I want atheist awareness and I work for and toward it. However, there's a difference between cheap shots and unimpeachable statements, and we're capable of making the latter.

Cognitive science informs us that successfully defending a belief more deeply ingrains that belief in the individual every time it's successfully defended. Belief in god, yes, but in this case I'm only talking about the belief that atheists are jerks. We'll get where we're going faster if we put the compelling facts in people's faces (heck, like "Atheists Don't Go To Jail") versus getting a few low blows in.

Anonymous (not verified) / Sun, 07/03/2011 - 09:22

Hello,

The godLess America logo is great! Will there be stickers for sale with this logo on it?

Thank you,

--FC

Anonymous (not verified) / Mon, 07/04/2011 - 13:01

Did something fall through for Grand Forks, ND? I was downtown the entire time and didn't see anything.

Anonymous (not verified) / Mon, 07/04/2011 - 15:14

I believe they flew over around 6:35PM. I saw a plane with a banner flying behind it but I didn't catch the website on it. I'm assuming this is what it was.

Lulis / Wed, 08/08/2012 - 14:11

So, do I get a t-shirt for my

So, do I get a t-shirt for my photo submissions of the banner being flown over the Statue of Liberty? Some of the photos I submitted are here: http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-811494

I'm still waiting for my American Atheist membership card.

Lulis